Maine National Guard supports long-term care facilities with fit testing

Related Media

200424-Z-DZ458-1005.jpg

AUGUSTA, MAINE (04/30/2020) (readMedia)-- Over two sessions held April 24 and 27, a total of 24 soldiers and airmen were trained on fit testing procedures for N95 respirator masks.

Maine CDC hosted the training as the organization continues their partnership with Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Maine National Guard.

"We're pleased to offer support for this new mission set as Maine continues to respond to COVID-19," said Maj. Gen. Douglas Farnham, Maine's adjutant general. "We continue to engage in planning with our state partners and are prepared for additional missions."

Guardsmen identified for this mission come from medical job specialties and represent various units from across the state. Teams of approximately four National Guardsmen will be dispatched to conduct fit testing for staff at requesting congregate care facilities identified by Maine CDC and MEMA. This includes but is not limited to food service staff, housekeeping, recreational and other staff working in the facilities.

The Maine National Guard is prepared to make the same teams available for other missions in support of Maine CDC.

Photos of this training can be found with the online version of this release.

Captions for photos:

1001 - Steven Boucouvalas, the Planning and Emergency Operations Coordinator for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, talks to Maine National Guard members during a fit test training at the Maine Emergency Management Agency in Augusta, Maine April 24, 2020. The guardsmen volunteered for duty as part of a medical task force to assist in the state response to COVID-19. At the direction of Maine CDC and MEMA, they will be sent to train staff at long term care facilities how to properly use and wear the respirators to decrease risk of exposure to COVID-19. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)

1002 – U.S. Army Sgt. Dylan Day, a healthcare specialist with the Maine Army National Guard medical detachment takes notes during the N95 respirator training coordinated by the Maine CDC for Maine National Guard members at the Maine Emergency Management Agency April 24, 2020. The guard members volunteered for duty as part of a medical taskforce to assist with the state response to COVID-19. At the direction of Maine CDC and MEMA, they will be sent to train staff at long term care facilities how to properly use and wear the respirators to decrease risk of exposure to COVID-19. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)

1003 – Mike Hatch the Healthcare Coalition Coordinator from All Clear Emergency Management Group, explains how to use the nebulizer to administer a spray for the fit test training at the Maine Emergency Management Agency in Augusta, Maine April 24, 2020. Each individual is tested for sensitivity to a certain spray. Whichever spray a person can taste is what is used during the fit test. The seal is deemed broken if the individual can taste the spray at any point during the test and the individual needs to refit a new mask. A proper fitting mask is key to maintaining a seal. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)

1004 – U.S. Airman Staff Sgt. Candice Doughty administers a spray to Senior Airman Katelyn Willis during the N95 respirator fit test training at the Maine Emergency Management Agency in Augusta, Maine April 24, 2020. Both Airmen with the 101st Air Refueling Wing, Maine National Guard, volunteered for duty as part of a medical taskforce to assist with the state response to COVID-19. At the direction of Maine CDC and MEMA, they will be sent to train staff at long term care facilities how to properly use and wear the respirators to decrease risk of exposure to COVID-19. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)

1005 – U.S. Airman Master Sgt. Nicki Porter with the 101st Air Refueling Wing, Maine Air National Guard, breaths in during her N95 fit test to ensure she can't taste the spray, indicating a good seal. Porter volunteered for duty as part of the medical taskforce to assist in the state's COVID-19 response efforts. "I volunteered for joining this task force because I'm concerned about the welfare, not only of my troops, but of my community, my entire state and because we're all interconnected in this state," she said during an interview. At the direction of Maine CDC and MEMA, they will be sent to train staff at long term care facilities how to properly use and wear the respirators to decrease risk of exposure to COVID-19. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)

1006 – Army Sgt. Nicholas Whitmore a healthcare specialist in the Maine Army National Guard Medical Detachment listens to the next instructions during his N95 respirator fit test. The test entails creating a seal, and ensuring the seal is not broken when moving or talking. The seal is deemed broken if he can taste the spray being administered. Whitmore volunteered to be part of the medical taskforce to assist in the state's COVID-19 response efforts. At the direction of Maine CDC and MEMA, they will be sent to train staff at long term care facilities how to properly use and wear the respirators to decrease risk of exposure to COVID-19. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)

1007 - Airmen from the 101st Air Refueling Wing, and Soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard's medical detachment, attended an N95 respirator fit test training at the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) April 24, 2020. A second session was held April 27 for medics from various units across the state. A total of 24 guardsmen will be part of a medical task force to assist in the response to COVID-19. At the direction of Maine CDC and MEMA, they will be sent to train staff at long term care facilities how to properly use and wear the respirators to decrease risk of exposure to COVID-19. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)

1008 - Airmen from the 101st Air Refueling Wing, Maine Air National Guard and Soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard's medical detachment, attended an N95 respirator fit test training at the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) April 24, 2020. A second session was held April 27 for medics from various units across the state. A total of 24 guardsmen will be part of a medical task force to assist in the response to COVID-19. At the direction of Maine CDC and MEMA, they will be sent to train staff at long term care facilities how to properly use and wear the respirators to decrease risk of exposure to COVID-19. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)